McIlrath, Geneive R. 1916-2006

MCILRATH, SHAW, ISKE, JOHNSTON, WILLIAMS, LARSEN, BROWN, SHAVER, HUFFAKER, APPEL, BECK, BENNIS, KRAUSMAN, KAISAND, MILLER, ROORDA

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/11/2010 at 16:16:48

GENEIVE MCILRATH

Geneive R. McIlrath, 89, of Grinnell died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 at St. Francis Manor.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Grinnell Christian Church. Casket bearers were her grandsons, Patrick Brown II, Jeff Larsen, Joel Larsen, J. Harley McIlrath III, Jeremy McIlrath, Justin McIlrath, James Williams II and John Williams. Honorary bearers were her granddaughters, Michelle Brown Appel, Jennifer Williams Beck, Julie McIlrath Bennis, Jill Brown Krausman, Kimberly Kaisand Miller and Sara Larsen Roorda. Interment was in Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman. Memorials may be made to the Geneive McIlrath Memorial Fund to benefit Grinnell Regional Hospice or Grinnell Christian Church.

She was born March 27, 1916, near Newton, the daughter of Dave and Lena Shaw Iske. She was a graduate of Laurel High School with the class of 1933. She was married on Jan. 1, 1936, to James Harley McIlrath in Marshalltown. The couple farmed in the Newburg and Grinnell area. She has been described as a loving mother and best friend, who always made the best of any situation. In her final days, it brought a sparkle to her eyes when any member of her family visited her.

She is survived by her six children, Sharon Johnston, James McIlrath II, Nancy Williams, Marlene Larsen, and Stanley McIlrath of Grinnell and Kathleen Brown of Grundy Center; 17 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren and one sister, Theodora Shaver of Newton. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; eight brothers, Charles, Theodore, Francis, Carroll, Harold, Paul Eugene, Kenneth and Jack Iske and two sisters, Irene Huffaker and Edna Williams.